I finally finished the 8 x 10 collage for my girls' room. The picture here is of it before it was matted, framed and hung up. I will post a picture of the final 11x 14 piece hung up when I get a chance. Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

Been busy lately with life. One of my niece's (she's 10) came to stay with us for the Memorial Day weekend. We had a great time. She made a cool little Zetti-like heart pillow. She wanted to make something on a canvas with pictures of my girls on it, but we just ran out of time. I'm working on a piece for my two daughters' room. It should be finished no later than this weekend, but I'm hoping it'll be done before that. I will post a picture of it here when it's done. I'm really happy with it so far. I should have been in bed a long time ago since my girls are going to have me up and running at the crack of dawn...gotta go!

I've been working on this doll for weeks on and off. Finally finished her this morning. She is about 8 inches tall and is all hand sewn (since I don't know how to use a sewing machine!) These dolls are really so fun to make and very, very hard to part with!

We went to my older brother's house on Sunday. He lives near Magic Mountain and it was hotter there than here, but we got to go swimming in their beautiful pool. It felt great! We had a wonderful day there. They were going to barbeque, but it was way too hot to do that. We ordered food from Wood Ranch BBQ and Grill and it was delicious! We've been meaning to go to the one a few miles from us, but just haven't yet. Now we will go soon for sure!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend :)

I was able to finish another piece on Saturday. We ended up hanging out in the backyard even after it was dark. It was so hot during the day, but it felt really nice at night. Two neighbor boys came over to visit us and saw me beading. They decided that they would like to make something too. They are 6 and 12. The 6-year-old made a bracelet for his mom and the 12-year-old made one for his little girlfriend. I really enjoyed doing this with them!

I've been dying to make some necklaces with the gorgeous heart pendants I got at the Sunset Beach Art Festival last weekend. I'm hoping to get at least one more made this weekend. We're going to be busy all day tomorrow, so if it doesn't happen today, it aint gonna happen :)

Hope you are all staying cool wherever you are! It is very hot here today and we are just dragging!

This bracelet I made consists of very vibrant crystal and glass beads. The silver middle bead says 'Wish'. The beads are SO much prettier in person! Have to go to bed now, so that's all folks! :)

Not too much has gone on since my last post a couple days ago. I did manage to make this ATC just for the heck of it. I'm feeling more creative lately and I've even ordered some of my favorite collage papers and images to boost my motivation. Still waiting for the images to arrive. Hopefully I can squeeze some art time in this weekend!

On Sunday, my mom wanted to go to the Third Street Promenade (http://thirdstreetpromenade.org/visitors/index.html and eat at the Gaucho Grill (http://www.gauchogrillrestaurant.com/). I hadn't eaten at a Gaucho Grill in quite awhile and unfortunately I did not enjoy it as much as I had in the past. We shopped around awhile after lunch, but the only thing I bought was this delicious drink! I did get it without the whipped cream, even though I LOVE whipped cream! I saw someone walking around with this drink and I knew I had to have one! Hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day!

We had a very nice weekend. On Saturday, we went to the Sunset Beach Art Festival (http://www.beachcalifornia.com/beach/sunset-beach-art-festival.html) that is held every Mother's Day weekend. Bought some cool handmade items. I think we found more things to buy this year than past years. After the festival, we walked across the street to have lunch at Westbay Cafe. We were planning on taking the girls to the beach, but it was too cold and windy, unfortunately. I did get a nap in as I had hoped to, but didn't get any art time. I was just too tired (as usual). The girls are now sharing a room and they keep waking eachother up (and us!) at night, so I am very lacking on sleep! We watched the movie 'Juno' to round out our pleasant day.

Here is a picture of the front of the tag I did for the collaborative tag book for Barb's 50th birthday. We were each assigned a number to use (1-50) on our tag and the theme was vintage children. It was supposed to be white with another color or two. I find it very hard not to use a lot of color! On the back of the tag we were supposed to put a picture of ourselves as a child. Funky suit there, huh? I'm sure I didn't pick it out! I wonder if I was a heart lover even back then?

On Saturday, my hubby, two daughters and I will celebrate Mother's Day doing what I want to do. A tradition we have started is that we go here (http://www.beachcalifornia.com/beach/sunset-beach-art-festival.html. We will have lunch at some point at a restaurant right across the street from the festival and I cannot think of the name of it for the life of me! It's a very casual place with tons of choices on the menu. It always takes me forever to order when we go there because I just can't decide on which one thing to get! Hubby is in love with their Chicken Caesar salad, so he always knows what he's getting. We will also go to the beach and let the girls play. They love the beach! I'm also hoping to get a nap and some art time in that day too! On Sunday, we will celebrate Mother's Day doing what my mom wants to do. My mom wants to have lunch here (http://www.gauchogrillrestaurant.com/ and then hang out here (http://thirdstreetpromenade.org/visitors/index.html for the rest of the afternoon. We haven't been there for awhile, so it'll be nice to go.

Here is a picture of the card I made for my friend Barb's (http://123lavenderlollipoplane.blogspot.com/ 50th birthday. I also participated in an amazing tag book project for Barb's birthday hosted by the super sweet Tamara (http://magicmolecules.blogspot.com/! We just did a big overhaul on our computer, so when I can find the pictures of my tag, I will post them!

Here is the latest ATC I've made. It seems like I haven't made an ATC in SO long!!! I made this a few weeks ago just for the heck of it and I really like how it turned out!

We went here (http://www.longbeach.gov/park/facilities/parks/el_dorado_nature_center.asp) on Saturday. Saw lots of very cool turtles and beautiful nature. When you go to this nature center, you feel like you are far away from the city. They have 1/4 mile, 1 mile and 2 mile trails. Great place to go!

OK...I actually have a blog! Better late than never!!! I have a ton to learn about this, so it may be awhile until I have anything interesting to post! At least I can play around now :)

We're going here (http://www.knotts.com/camplace/dine_restaurant.shtml ) for dinner tonight with a friend. I've lived here in So. Cal. my entire life (except for 3 years in Boston for school) and this will be my first time eating here!